Cubase 4 review

We loved Cubase SX3 - so how will Cubase 4 do?

TechRadar Verdict

If new hardware isn't an option, you'll probably get more music finished by staying with version 3

Pros

  • +

    Great new plug-ins

  • +

    Impressive synth sounds

Cons

  • -

    Not as stable as version 3

Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.

Times must be difficult at Steinberg HQ. Once you've packed a sequencer full of features, there's only so much more you can think about adding to it. With this update of Cubase, Steinberg has avoided trying anything too drastic, such as going head-to-head with Sony and Ableton by adding live looping and performance features, and has opted instead to carry on in the same direction as before.

So this is a slightly confusing release because, while there are many changes, the core feature-set hasn't been altered. Although there's been some engineering under the bonnet, it's not obvious on boot-up what it is.

This is a good thing from the point of view of familiarity, but there are also bad points - because some of the more irksome quirks of the interface haven't been changed - such as the fact that if you change the software synthesizer in one of the virtual instrument slots, the MIDI channel assignments disappear.

So, other than a redesigned interface, with a more streamlined look, and a new Control Room feature that makes monitoring on multiple speaker sets easier, the ergonomics are almost identical. To be fair, however, some annoyances have been improved.

Loops now default to the correct number of bars when you load them and set Musical mode. In the mixer, you can now shuffle around the order of insert plug-ins by dragging and dropping - no more leaving empty spaces at the start of the list just in case you feel like dropping in some EQ or compression later.

There have been similar ergonomic changes in the Score Editor, which has had its palettes and menus reorganised, but doesn't offer any new features.

Added features

Two significant new additions are the SoundFrame sound manager that, in turn, is part of the MediaBay database. Databases in sequencers are unlikely things because, almost by definition, most musicians don't have the mindset or the time needed to catalogue and label sounds. So the fact that you can search any of your software or hardware presets by tags may be an underwhelming feature.

MediaBay is slightly more useful because you can preview loops, MIDI files and presets. More useful still is that it's now easier to put together effects and patch presets, and to then reuse them within different projects. You can also now create track presets with effects, mixer and synthesizer settings all predefined for different musical applications.

The new VST3 technology is the big draw, however, and there's a new collection of plug-ins to show it off. VST3 is backwards compatible with VST2 plug-ins, so all your old effects will still work, but it's the new arrivals that make the difference - the sound quality of the VST3 collection really takes Cubase to a new level.

There isn't room to list all of the new features, but the best include the Vintage Compressor, which does an excellent job of warming up cold digital sounds, and three new software synthesizers called Mystic, Spector and Prologue, using FM, additive and simulated analog synthesis.

The sound quality of Mystic and Prologue gives many hardware synthesizers a run for their money, so finding these tools bundled for free is impressive. Unfortunately, it's not all good news. These new features - and some of the internal changes - mean that Cubase 4 has taken a significant performance hit. Projects that played smoothly in version 3 choke, click and stutter in Cubase 4.

The import routine for version 3 projects does a slightly quixotic conversion job, so screen layouts and some plug-in settings may need to be corrected by hand. There are also some worries about stability. Where Version 3 was almost bulletproof, Cubase 4 is unhappy with certain softsynths, and crashes more often than it should.

The bottom line is that to get the best from Cubase 4, you'll need a significant hardware upgrade - and adding cool new plug-ins isn't so useful if you're left with fewer tracks overall. Realistically, if new hardware isn't an option, you may well discover that you'll get more music finished by staying with version 3.

If you're in the market for a hefty increase in both disk speed and processor power, however, then Cubase 4 has a lot to recommend it. Richard Wentk

Latest in Audio
Pro-Ject A1.2 in black, playing a vinyl record in a hi-fi listening room
Pro-Ject's new fully-automatic turntable could be the buy of Record Store Day 2025
Focal Bathys MG
Focal just upgraded its audiophile noise-cancelling wireless headphones with even better sound, better noise cancelling, and a way higher price
An image of Pro-Ject's Flatten it closed and opened
Pro-Ject’s new vinyl flattener will fix any warped LPs you inadvertently buy on Record Store Day
Google Pixel Buds Pro 2
Cleaned your Pixel Buds Pro 2 recently? If not, you might be getting worse sound
Apple Music on a tablet, showing a new Listening Guide feature
Apple Music Classical just got 3 excellent perks in its biggest upgrade since launch
The Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro on a yellow background with text saying Price Cut.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro are at their lowest price this year on Amazon
Latest in Reviews
The Kiwi design K4 Boost Battery strap being worn by Hamish
I test VR headsets for a living, and this affordable headstrap is the first Meta Quest 3 accessory you should buy
Both Kiwi design G4 Pro Performance Controller Grips
I thought VR controller grips were pointless until this Meta Quest 3 accessory proved me wrong
The Kiwi design H4 Boost Halo Battery Strap
Want to upgrade your VR headset? Look no further than my new favorite Meta Quest 3 headstrap
WithSecure Elements EPP and EDR main image
I tested the WithSecure Elements EPP and EDR - read how I rated this Endpoint Protection for small business
The RIG M2 Streamstar.
I wanted to love the new RIG M2 Streamstar, but this pricey gaming microphone fails to deliver
Bambu Lab H2D Vs X1C
I've been reviewing the hotly anticipated Bambu Lab H2D for a month, and it's the most versatile machine I've ever used